Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 vs. 18-55

I have been very happy with my 18-55 but I'm curious about the newer lens.

For those that have used both do you like one over the other? Why?

I have the 18-55 (version III) and up to around a year ago I kept it on my NX300. Other than a less than smooth focusing ring (on my copy), I've been very happy with the IQ of this lens. It's obviously constructed much better than most plastic only kit lenses from various brands.

But I knew that eventually Samsung would have to release (well, I was hoping they would) a pancake style of zoom lens - in this case a Power Zoom lens.

So once the new 16-50 PZ hit the market, I was one of the first who managed to get my paws on one here in the US.

All I can say is that I've been nothing less than absolutely delighted with the IQ performance of this lens - so much so that the 18-55 is now sitting in a drawer. Not only does the 16-50 PZ lens work superbly (smooth everything and fast AF), how it looks on the camera makes it even more attractive. It balances out the NX300 nicely.

But lest you think the 16-50 is just another "kit lens" (and I'm loathe to even refer to it as a kit lens), the optical performance of this lens causes you to think, "why even spend the money on the more expensive 16-50 f2-2.8 S zoom?" So ergonomically, AF-wise, optically, and IQ-wise, this baby rocks - it's that good (IMO and with my copy of the lens - of course).

Alright...who's next to reply.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply Ben!

...that is that the 16-50 has a very welcomed 24 MM equivalent focal length on the wide end.  And this will make a huge difference when shooting scenarios like scenics, or interior shots (i.e. group photos or interior architectural shots).  You must keep in mind that the addition of just a couple of MM on the wide end is immediately noticeable (and welcomed), whereas small subtractions or additions on the long end aren't that noticeable.

I would like to resolve a doubt, when using the iFunction at Zoom and changing from 1 to 2X is focal distance converted to 100 mm ? optical or digital ? tks for answer.... Ricardo Pieranti

pieranti wrote:

I would like to resolve a doubt, when using the iFunction at Zoom and changing from 1 to 2X is focal distance converted to 100 mm ? optical or digital ? tks for answer.... Ricardo Pieranti

Hi, Ricardo

Which camera did you mean, only that lens doesn't offer such a zoom feature with all those in the range....for instance, not with the NX3000, as far as I've found!

Peter

Peter, I use a NX 300M and at iFunction the Zoom mode allows the selection 1X to 2X. The lens manual reports that it is better that the digital zoom. But does not say it is optical zoom. We are sure at range 16 to 50 mmm it is...

Before Using This Device

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung Lens. The illustrations used

in this manual may differ from the actual items. Some functions

described in this manual may not be available depending on the

camera model. Before using the lens, please update the camera’s

firmware. Otherwise, the color in images may not appear properly

for some camera models (NX200, NX20, NX210, NX1000, NX1100,

NX2000, NX300, NX300M, and Galaxy NX). Visit www.samsung.com

to download the firmware.

Hi!

I take it that you're quoting from the lens leaflet.....

http://static.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/95479.pdf

Looks to me as though the NX300M is one of the cameras that can use all of the lens' various i-functions... whereas my own NX3000, for example, can't!

In this instance (camera manual... page 64 or 65)

they seem to be saying that iZoom works by works by cropping the extent of the sensor that's used,,,, but WITHOUT then blowing the cropped area back up to the full 20 megapixels as many digital zoom processes do!

So, at x2, the area used is half the width and half the height of fullsize.... one quater the area so not 20 mp but 5....

2736X1824 (5.0M)

Using iZoom
The iZoom allows you to zoom in on a subject with less degradation
of photo quality than Digital zoom. However, the photo resolution may
change compared to when you zoom in by rotating the zoom ring.

...................................

Not sure there's a lot to gain, as that's something one can do on the computer afterwards?

Peter

Now I think you are right ... It would be better use the 50-200 for best IQ... despite the inconvenience of changing lenses... Thanks for the clarification....